April 8, 2023 Schedule

Tipi Setup

Observe FNSA members raise the FNSA tipi on the lawn of the Lied Center of Kansas. 

Gourd Dancing, Powwow Arena

The Gourd Dance Tribal celebration has its original beginnings in Oklahoma. The dance is an old Tribal custom that was revived around 1941 by a Kiowa Tribal elder. The dance is held to welcome home and honor elite military combat warriors through Tribal songs and dances. 

Powwow 101, Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Jancita Warrington (Menominee/ Potawatomi)

Listen and learn both the historical and contemporary history of the powwow and dances you will see at the event. You will hear an overview and explanation of the event head staff and their positions, songs, Tribal dances, and the purpose of the KU powwow. A short question and answer session will be held at the end of the presentation.

Grand Entry #1, Powwow Arena

This is the first entry for all the powwow participants entering the powwow arena. Everyone in the audience is asked to stand as the color guard brings in the flags.

Once everyone is in the arena, and while everyone continues standing, the flags are raised as singers sing the flag song and honor song. This opens the powwow and the dancing begins.

Learn more about Grand Entry

Children's Language and Literacy Activities, by the FNSA Tipi 

Dr. Gillispie (Creek) a Clinic Professor, Speech pathologist and Director of the Schiefelbusch Speech Language Hearing Clinic at KU, and his interns will provide culturally based activities that engage families and young students. This is free and an ongoing activity throughout the event.

Indigenous Books with Ponak'azo, by the FNSA Tipi 

Explore contemporary books by Indigenous authors with Ponak’azo. Find your favorite book and sit down, relax, and read with your group or to your children as you explore the world through the lenses of the Indigenous authors.

Staff will be on hand to assist with any questions or recommendations for culturally relevant classroom use.

Gourd Dancing 101, Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Dr. Cornel Pewewardy (Commanche/Kiowa)

Listen and learn about the Gourd Dance Tribal celebration that has its original beginnings in Oklahoma. The dance is an old Tribal custom that was revived around 1941 by a Kiowa Tribal elder. The dance is held to welcome home and honor elite military combat warriors through Tribal songs and dances.  

Fingerweaving Workshop, Main Lobby

Presenter: Delila Begay (Diné) & Jarrod Nally (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma) 

Participate in an introductory-level fingerweaving workshop, supply kits provided. A PowerPoint will also be shown about the different styles of weaving from the perspective tribes of our presenters. There will also be a tutorial on fingerweaving and time to start your fingerweaving project.

The participant age requirement is 12 years +. Other ages are welcome to come watch and learn from the artists.

Space is limited and sign-up is required. Sign up HERE.

Indigenous Hand Games, Near the FNSA Tipi

Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Organization with Sponsors: Jeremy & Robin Shield (Crow)

Watch and learn a traditional game played in numerous Tribal communities across the country. This game is highly competitive across Indian Country using logic it develops sharp intuitive components of the brain used to anticipate the opposite team’s next move. It is played using two teams who incorporate tribal songs made for the game.

Indigenous Arts Initiative Presentation of Work, Lied Center Pavilion

Featuring Artist Mentor Martha Redbone & Mentee Alex Kimball Williams; Mentor Reyna Hernandez & Mentees Raine Flores-Pena and the Haskell Art Club; and Mentor Carlos Rivera with Mentee Tweesna Mills

Meet the feature artists and student mentees who will display and discuss the collaborations they created as part of the Indigenous Arts Initiative. This initiative is a collaboration with the Kansas Creative Arts Industries, Lied Center and the Spencer Museum of Art and is intended to support young Kansas Indigenous artists as they hone their creative skills, expand professional networks and gain experience through collaborative, mentor-based programming at the University of Kansas.

Honoring Our Ancestors Panel/Presentation by KU First Nations Student Association, Lied Center Pavilion

Please join FNSA students as they explore the diverse ways their individual Tribes honor their Ancestors from both a cultural and personal perspective.

Indigenous Hand Games, Near the FNSA Tipi

Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Organization with Sponsors: Jeremy & Robin Shield (Crow)

Watch and learn a traditional game played in numerous Tribal communities across the country. This game is highly competitive across Indian Country using logic it develops sharp intuitive components of the brain used to anticipate the opposite team’s next move. It is played using two teams who incorporate tribal songs made for the game.

Gourd Dancing, Powwow Arena

The Gourd Dance Tribal celebration has its original beginnings in Oklahoma. The dance is an old Tribal custom that was revived around 1941 by a Kiowa Tribal elder. The dance is held to welcome home and honor elite military combat warriors through Tribal songs and dances. 

Haskell Art Competition Showcase, Lied Center Pavilion

Join the winners of the Haskell Art Competition as they showcase and talk about their work. The theme of the competition is “History of Haskell Indian Nations University.”  Winners will be announced prior to the Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival.

Grand Entry #2, Powwow Arena

This is the second entry after supper break to open the second session of the powwow. 

Tipi Breakdown

Join FNSA members breakdown the FNSA tipi and secure the tipi poles for transport.